Checkmate

1. (n.) The position in the game of chess when a king is in check and cannot be released, -- which ends the game.

2. (n.) A complete check; utter defeat or overthrow.

3. (v. t.) To check (an adversary's king) in such a manner that escape in impossible; to defeat (an adversary) by putting his king in check from which there is no escape.

4. (v. t.) To defeat completely; to terminate; to thwart.

Thesaurus Entries

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